Increased repertoire of brain dynamical states during the psychedelic experience

Record summary

Tagliazucchi and collaborators analyzed fMRI data from psychedelic states and reported an expanded repertoire of transient brain configurations under psilocybin. The finding matters because it offers a network-dynamics comparison with ordinary waking consciousness and with theories that associate consciousness with differentiated, integrated activity. The result concerns measured signal patterns, not a proof that psychedelic states are objectively superior or more truthful. Researchers should inspect preprocessing, state-identification methods, comparisons with placebo and the study’s sample limitations.